Free To Be You And Me

freedom - Free to Be You and Me

Freely you have received, freely give. Matthew 10:8

I (Teresa) know exactly how much I have in my checking account; David knows approximately how much money we have in the bank. I love to exercise and work hard and eat right; David never exercises or watches his diet and yet passes physical exams with flying colors. I’m outgoing; he’s an introvert. I’m a feeler; he’s a thinker.

Do you have a marriage like this? Those differences probably attracted you to each other at first, but later they can help drive you apart. I believe God brings people who are different together for a purpose. It stretches us as human beings and forces us to call upon His strength to share freedom with one another.

In Christ, we have incredible freedom. God gives us limits about behavior and principles to live by, but for every loving limit, God provides unbounded freedom.

Just think: God didn’t tell us what to eat and what not to eat; He gave us abundant provision and said, “Enjoy.” He gives us freedom in our choices. God doesn’t dictate that we pray to Him ten times a day or attend church fifty-two times in a year. He just wants us to have a relationship with Him—personally and corporately. He honors our preferences.

As we have received freedom from God, we must also freely give to our spouse. As I have received freedom from God about many of my choices, I must grant the same for David. As God honors my preferences in how I relate to Him, I must honor David’s unique preferences as well.

God wants us to grow and uses our differences in marriage to help us accomplish that. Strange as it may sound, we can thank God for how different we are as spouses.

In what specific areas do you need to give your spouse freedom to be different from you?